By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Bids on a command/communications vehicle for the Forrest City Police Department came in at more than twice the expected figure Tuesday night, and the city council may look at purchasing a used vehicle.
Mayor Larry Bryant said about $50,000 had been set aside for the vehicle. However, a bid from K&D Custom Coach of New Plains, Ind., was for $125,000, and a bid from Farber Specialty Products of Columbus, Ohio was $116,525.
During discussion, it was suggested that the council simply reject the bids and start looking for a used vehicle. It was finally decided to table action on the bids until the Police Committee had studied the specifications, after which a decision will be made. The city could look for a used vehicle, or try to find a smaller one.
On another item, the council voted to amend the 2001 budget to reflect a 5 percent, across-the-board employee raise voted in at the last meeting. The budget had already been passed at that time, with only a 3.5 percent raise for most employees.
The council got into a lengthy discussion because the ordinance Bryant gave them also had a larger raise figured in for himself. He had previously been given a total package of $55,000, and the proposed ordinance had a total package of $58,328 for the mayor.
Bryant said he felt he should get a larger raise if all the employees were getting one. He also said the council could scale it back if the members chose to do so. In the end, the mayor's package was amended to $55,765.
On another matter, the council heard from attorney Frank Morledge, representing Aubrey Jayroe and Bill Harden. They have purchased the old Fussell, Graham, Alderson Building, more recently known as Hoggard's Office Products at 101 S Washington. They are converting the store to office spaces downstairs and apartments upstairs.
They are requesting to be released from the fire zone requirements for downtown Forrest City. Morledge said the reason is that the situation has changed over the years. The building in question no longer shares a common wall with other buildings. He said if the building existed in any other part of town, the fire zone rules would not apply to it. The two main rules call for a sprinkler system and exits no farther than 72 feet from an apartment.
After discussion, the council decided a variance or resolution would not be strong enough, and an ordinance would have to be passed to exempt the building from fire zone regulations. However, a straw poll was taken of council members, and there were no objections to the request.
Bryant said the city may also lease some parking in an adjacent city parking lot to Jayroe and Harden, providing the apartments with the parking spaces required by law.
In other business, the council passed a resolution condemning several pieces of property deemed to be unsightly and unsafe. The property owners will be notified and will have 30 days to do something about the problem themselves, before the city steps in.
Also, four appointed spots were filled. Those appointments include: Willie Whitley, reappointed to the Planning Commission; Wilma Delaney, reappointed to the Forrest City Library Board; Marcus Freeman, appointed to an unfilled position on the Civic Center Commission and Matt Townsend, reappointed to the Advertising and Promotions Commission.
A pair of early morning fires at vacant homes in Forrest City may have been intentionally set, according to Fire Marshal John Ruffin with the Forrest City Fire Department.
The FCFD was notified this morning of a fire at 141 W. Scott Street at 6:48. According to a report from the department the fire originated in a bedroom and the building suffered extensive smoke damage.
"The fire appeared to have been set in order for someone to keep warm, but it will still be ruled as an arson. We don't have any suspects at this time in but we are trying to find out who might have been involved," Ruffin said.
A second fire was reported an hour later at 303 Davis Street. According to the report, the fire began in the den area of the building. The structure received an estimated $10,000 in damages.
According to Ruffin, a suspect was seen exiting the building prior to the arrival of firefighters. "The police department has detained a person that was seen running from the building but that person has refused to talk with us so far. He is being held on other warrants that the police department had against him," said Ruffin.
The department also responded to a car fire Tuesday on Highway 1 North near Colt involving a 1988 Lincoln.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
With tipoff less than a month away, plans are well under way on the Class 5-A state tournament to be held at Mustang Arena.
Members of the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce tournament committee met Tuesday to get updates on the progress being made prior to the tournament and to discuss ways of making the tournament a success.
"This is a big deal for Forrest City, and we have to present this tournament well. We want people to be able to leave here and be impressed not only with the facility, but with the city as well," said Tom Machen, chamber president.
The tournament, which consists of 32 teams, is scheduled for Feb. 27 to March 3 on the campus of Forrest City High School. Teams statewide will compete in the annual event, and those teams will bring in fans from across the state.
"Looking at the standings right now, there will be several teams from northwest Arkansas and several teams from southwest Arkansas that will be in attendance. Those people will be spending quite a bit of time here, and that will bring revenue into the city. There will also be teams from central Arkansas, and some of those people may also spend the night. We will have the teams, the parents and the fans all on hand during this tournament," said Bill Baxter, athletic director for the Forrest City School District.
Committee members also discussed promotional items that will be displayed throughout Forrest City as well as things that businesses can do to promote the tournament.
"We have signs that Mr. Baxter has been putting up today that will promote the tournament, and we will also have buttons and display signs that businesses can use. The buttons will be distributed to chamber members the week before the tournament and we're hoping that employees of the businesses will wear the buttons during the tournament. There are also display signs being made that a business can display, and a banner will be erected near the interstate so that people coming off of the interstate will be welcomed as soon as they come into town," said Niki Jones with the Chamber.
Jones also said that students from Forrest City High School will be available to paint displays in storefronts for a nominal charge. "The students will be available to do the painting and there will be a small amount that a business will have to pay. It won't be a large amount of money, just enough to compensate them for their supplies and their time," she said.
Jones also said that the FCSD will set up a hospitality booth at the tournament which will display different brochures on Forrest City and St. Francis County and possibly a display directing visitors to the St. Francis County Museum.
The committee is also still seeking volunteers to work during the tournament in booths and as ticket collectors.
"We have had a good response so far but due to the hours that the tournament will be held some of the people that take tickets for us during regular athletic events won't be available so we are still looking for people to work as ticket collectors," said Baxter.
The St. Francis County personnel committee will recommend Billy Pillow to take the position of Constable in Telico Township following the death of Jim Clegg.
During the committee's monthly meeting, Pillow spoke to the board regarding his qualifications and his desire to hold the position.
"I have always wanted to hold a position such as this and be able to be a help to my community. I pledge to do that to the best of my ability," said Pillows.
Pillow was unanimously selected to replace Clegg and the recommendation will be presented at the February meeting of the St. Francis County Quorum Court.
Local police arrested one juvenile for possession of crack and marijuana, and found the remains of a methamphetamine lab in separate incidents Tuesday.
According to a report by the Forrest City Police Department, a call came in at about 10:16 p.m. that there were several subjects standing underneath the railroad overpass on South Division, acting suspiciously.
An officer arrived and asked the people to come over to his car, and one of them started running. The subject was eventually chased down in a back yard on Franklin Avenue. Officers found both marijuana and crack cocaine on the subject.
The 17-year-old Forrest City juvenile is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance near certain facilities, and fleeing.
Earlier in the day, at around 11 a.m., the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department was notified that a citizen had found what appeared to be a meth lab on County Road 409.
Officers with the Sheriff's Department and local police arrived and found the remains of a working methamphetamine lab. This included an ammonia tank and other items. The incident is under investigation.